Hans Melzer at the Olympic Games in London 2012. AP Photo/David Goldman via hans-melzer.de
Former German national team coach Hans Melzer and Olympic judge Christina Klingspor will serve as judges for the Breeders Trophy Eventing Championships for 4- and 5-year-old horses, taking place at Össjö Cross Country Course on 12–13 September.
The Breeders Trophy Eventing Championships are organised by SWB in collaboration with Össjö Riding Society as part of the Nordic Baltic Championships. The event plays an important role in identifying, developing and promoting the next generation of Swedish event horses.
"Our ambition has always been to continue developing the judging team. We want the evaluation to contribute to the development of both the young event horses and their riders," says Event Director Lars Christensson.
This year's judging panel features two internationally renowned figures.
Hans Melzer is one of the world's most accomplished coaches in international eventing. From 2001 to 2021, he served as Chef d'Équipe of the German eventing team, leading them to numerous Olympic, World and European Championship medals. Following the London 2012 Olympic Games, where Germany claimed both team and individual gold as well as individual bronze, he was named Coach of the Year by the German Olympic Sports Confederation. He has also been awarded the prestigious title of Reitmeister, one of the highest honours in German equestrian sport, as well as the German Riding Cross in Gold for his outstanding contribution to the sport.
Joining Melzer is Christina Klingspor, one of Sweden's most experienced international eventing judges and stewards. As President of the Ground Jury at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, she was responsible for the judging of the Olympic eventing competition. She has also held key official roles at every Olympic Games since Hong Kong 2008.
Christina Klingspor grew up in Lidköping, Sweden, and has a background as a rider herself. After training abroad, she began an international career as a steward. Her first major appointments came ahead of the 1990 World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, and since then she has officiated at events around the world. Today, she is widely recognised as one of the most respected officials in international eventing.
"Following and evaluating young horses is one of the most important responsibilities we have. This is where we see the sport horses of the future and have the opportunity to encourage breeding and training based on quality, durability and rideability. I look forward to coming to Össjö and seeing the talented young Swedish horses," says Christina Klingspor.
"We are delighted to welcome two individuals with such outstanding international experience. Hans Melzer has been one of the most successful national team coaches in international eventing, while Christina Klingspor is among the world's most accomplished judges. Having our young horses assessed by experts of this calibre adds tremendous value for breeders, owners and riders alike," says Anette Graf, CEO of SWB.
The Breeders Trophy Eventing Championships will be held on 12–13 September at Össjö Riding Society's cross-country course in conjunction with the Nordic Baltic Championships. The event brings together some of Sweden's most promising 4- and 5-year-old event horses and serves as an important meeting place for breeders, riders and owners with a shared focus on the future of Swedish sport horse breeding.
SWB - Swedish Warmblood Association, is a Swedish nationwide breeding organization aimed at supporting and advancing the breeding, training, and marketing of Swedish Warmblood horses. Swedish Warmbloods are internationally competitive in show jumping, dressage, and eventing. World-class Swedish Warmbloods are produced by our Swedish SWB breeders, who uphold a long tradition of natural and sustainable breeding of modern riding and sport horses.
